Eat in a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane that was converted into a two-level bar and restaurant with beautiful views of the jungle and ocean. You may even see a sloth or monkeys while you eat! We did!

Don’t miss this Costa Verde restaurant where you can eat freshly-prepared wood-fired pizza while dining in an antique rail car alongside the jungle.

You are guaranteed to see wildlife in the Manuel Antonio National Park right down the road from La Mariposa. Sloths, toucans, macaws, white capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, frogs and more! Either book a guided tour or check it out at your own pace.

Mingle with locals at two nearby beaches: Playa Espadilla Beach (the closer one) & Playa Manuel Antonio next to the National Park entrance. The hotel shuttle will take you there & pick you up. Be sure to try the shaved ice from a beach vendor, and keep an eye out for monkeys in the trees!

Choose from several excursions that you can book directly from La Mariposa Hotel. You’ve got to check out one of the zip lines that Costa Rica is famous for! You can also book a jungle ATV tour, horseback riding on the beach, whitewater rafting, and more.

Tour a coffee, sugar cane, and chocolate plantation and learn the rich history of Costa Rica’s cash crop roots. This tour includes transportation to and from your hotel. We have not tried this but it is highly rated on Viator!

Visit the breathtaking Nauyaca waterfalls abut an hour south of Manuel Antonio. We have not visited this area yet but hope to soon!

If you’re extending your trip to see more of Costa Rica, look into the Arenal area where you can take a dip in hot springs and hike the volcano. This area is not for a day trip - it’s a 5.5 hour drive from Manuel Antonio.

Some additional local restaurants our planner recommended: El Lagarto (grill with beautiful views), Emilio's Cafe (breakfast, lunch & dinner), Cafe Milagro (tropical cuisine & live music), Victoria's Gourmet Italian Restaurant (Italian), Auga Azula (casual dinner with a view).